Has Your Teen Been Screened for Depression?

[The Straight Story]

Has Your Teen Been Screened for Depression?


SACRAMENTO, CA - A government medical task force is recommending that all teenagers be screened for depression, and not just those teens who appear at risk. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, an independent panel of experts in primary care, made that recommendation in March.

According to some estimates, more than 2 million teens -- one in eight teens -- may suffer from depression, but few are getting any type of intervention, counseling or treatment.

How do you know if your teen is depressed and not just experiencing normal teenage angst? And what can you do to help your teen through depression?

On Monday's Live_Online at 11 a.m., Stephen Grinstead, a licensed marriage and family therapist in Sacramento, gave us some of the warning signs of depression in teens:

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Chronic irritability, anger and hostility
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Withdrawal from family and some, but not all, friends
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Restlessness and agitation
* Substance abuse
* Suicidal thoughts and actions
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Unexplained aches and pains
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Extreme sensitivity to criticism
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Extreme changes in eating or sleeping habit

Grinstead said while the independent medical panel recommends depression screenings for children 12 to 18 years of age, some doctors are not following through. He suggested you ask your family doctor or pediatrician about the questionnaire they use to screen teens for depression.

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